Chapter 2

My friends threw a small welcome-back party for me.

No one expected Bradley to bring Wilkinson.

Wilkinson had carefully prepared gifts for everyone, especially me.

"I heard Bradley treats Elliott like family. When Bradley and I get married, Elliott, remember to be my bridesmaid."

Several friends changed expressions, saying to Bradley, "Bradley, aren't you going to handle this?"

Bradley laughed. "You want me to go home and fight with her?"

Wilkinson covered her mouth shyly.

She suggested playing Truth or Dare.

The bottle landed right on me.

Everyone eagerly tried to ask, but Wilkinson stopped them.

"Everyone step aside! Let Bradley ask first."

Bradley took a drink and looked at me. "Did you get a boyfriend abroad?"

I nodded. "Yes."

Quite a few people gasped.

Bradley had a friend named Jack who teased me, "Elliott's joking. If she's lying, she drinks as penalty. I'll drink for Elliott."

Next round, when Bradley spun the bottle, it landed on me again.

He asked, "What's your boyfriend's name?"

I answered, "Not convenient to say."

Wilkinson laughed loudly. "Elliott, good thing you're not an actress. Your acting is pretty terrible. Men are too dense to notice, but we're both women—I can tell when you're lying right away~"

Bradley's past lovers never dared speak like this.

But the one sitting beside him now was Wilkinson, the only girlfriend he'd ever acknowledged.

Bradley's silence indicated approval.

I swept my hair back and smiled. "The kind of affected pretension Miss Wilkinson does, I truly can't manage."

Wilkinson's smile froze on her face.

I prided myself on having a good temper, but a sharp tongue.

This was something Bradley apparently hadn't gotten around to telling Wilkinson.

Still, her psychological resilience was strong. She quickly smiled again and poured me a drink.

"Fair's fair. If you can't answer, you have to drink. Please."

"Fine."

I downed the drink readily.

The bottle in Bradley's hands seemed magical—next round, it landed on me again.

He asked almost without thinking, "Why did you come back this time?"

I gave up answering that question.

Bradley saw through my intention and pressed his hand on the bottle. "What are you back for?"

His fingertips were white from gripping so hard.

I answered reluctantly, "To get married."

Actually, saying it didn't matter much—I'd have to invite friends to the wedding eventually anyway.

Everyone burst into laughter.

"Haven't seen you in years, didn't expect Elliott's methods of fooling people to get more childish."

"Methinks the lady doth protest too much."

"Elliott, you're getting worse at lying."

I looked at Wilkinson. "So sorry, I can't be your bridesmaid, because my wedding is early next month."

She asked curiously, "Is it that boyfriend you dated abroad? Elliott, just tell us. We're not going to look down on him, are we?"

I didn't need to explain to her, just said coolly, "He's excellent, but I can't reveal his identity."

Bradley suddenly pulled Wilkinson up.

"Wilkinson, your acting is much better than Elliott's. I can't watch this charade anymore. Let's go."

Jack grabbed him, whispering in his ear, "Don't, Bradley. If you miss this chance, when will you get another—"

Bradley shook off his hand. "When did I ever wait for her? These years I've played with plenty of women. Every single one was better than Elliott."

Jack's unspoken words were forcefully cut off.

I met Bradley's gaze. His eyes were trembling.

I stood there, feeling like all the blood in my body had turned ice cold.

"Bradley, aren't you disgusted with yourself?"

He licked the corner of his mouth with a mocking smile. "Don't need you to worry about it."